Record Construction Job Openings Point to Need for More Workers, Says AGC

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The construction industry added 23,000 jobs in October as unemployment rates for the sector hovered near the all-time low for the month, according to an analysis of new government data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the construction industry would likely have hired even more workers to keep pace with strong demand for construction. “Despite the fact pay for hourly craft workers in construction is rising faster than for production employees, contractors are still struggling to find enough skilled workers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Both residential and nonresidential construction employers want to … Read more

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Construction Employment Rises by 11,000 Jobs in September, Labor Conditions Remain Tight

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The construction industry added 11,000 jobs in September as unemployment rates for the sector remained at historically low levels, prompting contractors to raise pay faster than for other jobs, according to an analysis of new government data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the number of people working on nonresidential construction projects declined for the month as firms struggle to find enough workers to hire amid tight labor conditions. “Construction firms have plenty of projects but a dip in nonresidential employment last month shows how hard it has been to find enough skilled workers,” … Read more

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Producer Price Index for Construction Materials, Services Rises 1.1%

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The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction increased 1.1% from July to August, driven by an extreme jump in diesel fuel costs, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that most other commodity prices were subdued but said their newly released survey showed contractors continue to experience widespread problems finding qualified workers and the costs associated with those shortages. The producer price index for diesel fuel, which covers the selling price at the terminal rack or refinery, soared 34.6% from mid-July to mid-August, the largest one-month jump since 1990. Simonson noted that retail diesel … Read more

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Construction Employment Increases in 45 States, D.C.

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Construction employment increased in 45 states and the District of Columbia in July from a year earlier, while 27 states added construction employees from June to July, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said recent job gains would be more widespread if government officials helped more people prepare for construction careers. Between July 2022 and July 2023, 45 states and D.C. added construction jobs, while industry employment declined in four states and held steady in Vermont. Texas added the most construction jobs over the year (25,200 jobs or 3.2%), … Read more

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AGC Analysis: Construction Employment Increases in 45 States and D.C. From July 2022 to July 2023

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Construction employment increased in 45 states and the District of Columbia in July from a year earlier, while 27 states added construction employees from June to July, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Between July 2022 and July 2023, 45 states and D.C. added construction jobs, while industry employment declined in four states and held steady in Vermont. Texas added the most construction jobs over the year (25,200 jobs or 3.2%), followed by California (13,800 jobs, 1.5%), Ohio (13,100 jobs, 5.6%), and Georgia (10,200 jobs, 4.8%). Arkansas had the … Read more

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